Free Dentistry Education in Turkey 2025

Is Free Dentistry Education Possible in Turkey? This is a common question for many prospective students who choose dentistry as their field of study abroad. Turkey is one of the countries that strives to elevate its higher education system on a global scale. To achieve this, it utilizes state-of-the-art educational and academic facilities in its universities. In addition, collaboration with international academic and scientific institutions is another example of Turkey’s efforts to enhance its academic credibility worldwide. The availability of various scholarships, including dental scholarships, is another key reason many dental students choose to study in Turkey. In this article, we will explore the possibility of studying dentistry for free in Turkey. Advantages of Studying in Turkey Studying abroad is an exciting and challenging experience, filled with both good and bad experiences. Learning from these experiences plays a crucial role in one’s future personal, social, and professional success. Turkey, a neighboring country to Iran, shares many cultural and religious similarities with our country, which has led to an increase in educational migration to Turkey. In recent decades, Turkey has made considerable efforts to equip its universities. These efforts include providing standardized educational, academic, and scientific facilities, recruiting internationally recognized professors, engaging in academic and cultural collaborations with prestigious global institutions, and participating in student exchange programs. Fields such as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy are highly popular among students and every year, many applicants seek to study dentistry in Turkey. While free dentistry education in Turkey is possible under certain conditions, we will examine these conditions in the following sections. Summary of Dentistry Education in Turkey The duration of dentistry studies in Turkey is 5 years. During the first two years, students focus on foundational and theoretical subjects. From the third year until the end of the program, in addition to theoretical coursework, students also undertake practical clinical training in dental clinics and hospitals under the supervision of their professors. The tuition fees for dentistry studies in Turkey depend on the university, and it should be noted that free dentistry education is not easily attainable. However, it is possible to study for free if a 100% scholarship is obtained. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly review all conditions, including dental universities, tuition fees, and admission requirements, before applying for studies in Turkey, and to be aware of how to manage the costs. Conditions for Studying Dentistry in Turkey Applicants for dental studies in Turkey must be fully aware of the admission conditions and take the necessary steps toward achieving their goals. They should not assume that studying dentistry for free in Turkey is possible, as free education is generally not available to international students. Only through obtaining a dental scholarship in Turkey can this become a possibility. However, it must be considered that even if a scholarship is obtained, which can be difficult to achieve, the scholarship may not cover the entire tuition and study expenses. The following are the requirements for studying dentistry in Turkey:

1. Entrance Exam Participation and Minimum Passing Score
2. Applicants must participate in entrance exams and meet the minimum passing score requirements.
3. Language Proficiency
4. Applicants must have proficiency in either Turkish or English at a minimum B2 level (based on the language of instruction). A language proficiency certificate must be provided, and applicants may need to take the university’s language proficiency exam.
5. Age Requirement
6. The age requirement is particularly important for public universities. The age limit for undergraduate dental studies is 21 years, for master’s programs it is 30 years, and for doctoral and specialization programs, it is up to 35 years.
7. Required Academic Documents
   • For the 5-year dental program: Official high school diploma and transcript.
   • For specialized programs: Official university documents and transcripts.
8. Official Translation of Documents
9. All educational documents and identification papers must be translated officially.
10. Minimum GPA Requirement
11. The GPA requirement varies between public and private universities. For public universities in Turkey, a minimum GPA of 18 is required. Private universities are more flexible, and applicants with a GPA of 15 can still receive admission.

Entrance Exams for Studying Dentistry in Turkey Whether applicants are aiming for free dental education in Turkey or intend to pay tuition fees, they must prepare for the entrance exams. While some private universities do not require an entrance exam for admission to dentistry programs, public universities in Turkey mandate that applicants take an entrance exam and achieve a minimum passing score. The most important entrance exams for studying dentistry in Turkey are as follows:

1. YOS Exam (Yabancı Öğrenci Sınavı): The entrance exam for the 5-year undergraduate dentistry program.
2. SAT Exam: The entrance exam for the 5-year undergraduate dentistry program.
3. DUS Exam (Diş Hekimliği Lisans Üstü Sınavı): The entrance exam for specialized dental programs.
4. TUS Exam (Tıpta Uzmanlık Sınavı): The entrance exam for dentistry and other medical fields.
5. TRYOS Exam: A centralized entrance exam for dental programs in Turkey.

Free Dentistry Education in Turkey; Top Dental Universities in Turkey Turkey strives to develop its higher education system in line with global trends and enhance the international standing of its universities. To this end, Turkish universities are equipped with top-tier facilities and infrastructure for education, research, and training. Students studying dentistry in Turkey are taught by distinguished professors and benefit from excellent educational conditions. All universities, including those offering dentistry programs, provide students with state-of-the-art educational equipment. Some of the top universities in Turkey for studying dentistry include:

• Istanbul Medeniyet University
• Istanbul University
• Gazi University
• Hacettepe University
• Başkent University (Private)
• Ege University, Izmir
• Marmara University
• Okan University
• Ankara University
• Istanbul Aydın University
• Koç University (Private)
• Bahçeşehir University (Private)

Several of the most prestigious dental universities in Turkey are accredited by Iran’s Ministry of Health. Students may have the opportunity to receive free dental education in Turkey if they demonstrate exceptional academic performance and meet the scholarship requirements. Obtaining a scholarship for dentistry in Turkey requires very high academic standards, and many talented Iranian students have already proven their capabilities in the academic field. Studying in Turkey offers a valuable opportunity for Iranian students to enter the global job market and engage in international academic communities. Language of Instruction for Dentistry in Turkey Whether you are aiming for free dentistry education in Turkey or paying tuition fees, you will need to provide an official and valid language proficiency certificate. Since medical fields, including dentistry, require a high level of language proficiency, students must take a university language placement test and achieve the required score. If you are not proficient in the language or do not have a language certificate, you will need to attend preparatory language courses offered by the university before starting your studies. Prospective students should choose a university that offers dentistry programs in their preferred language of instruction, whether Turkish or English. Free Dentistry Education in Turkey; Dentistry Scholarships in Turkey As previously mentioned, it is essential to consider all possibilities and conditions before assuming that free dentistry education in Turkey is guaranteed. However, this does not mean that free dental education in Turkey is impossible. By obtaining a scholarship for dentistry, you can cover part or all of the tuition fees. Some of the most well-known scholarships are provided by public and private universities, as well as the Turkish National Scholarships (Türk Bursları). Private universities such as Yeditepe University and Medeniyet University offer scholarships ranging from 20% to 100% for high-achieving students. In private universities in Turkey, students can also reduce their tuition costs significantly by earning high grades and receiving discounts on their fees for studying dentistry. Cost of Dentistry Education in Turkey Students who manage to receive a scholarship for free dentistry education in Turkey don’t have to worry about tuition fees. Generally, the cost of studying dentistry in Turkey depends on factors such as the university (private or public), language of instruction, and the level of study (undergraduate or specialized programs). In some universities, the cost of studying in English and Turkish may be nearly the same. For precise information on costs, it’s essential to refer to the university’s website or trusted immigration agencies. Below is an overview of the average tuition fees for dentistry at several universities in Turkey:

University	Annual Tuition Fee
Ankara University	24,000 TRY
Hacettepe University	2,000–3,000 TRY
Gazi University	37,000 TRY
Ege University (Izmir)	15,500 TRY
Marmara University	31,000 TRY
Okan University	21,000 TRY

For private universities, the tuition fees for dentistry programs start at around $7,000 and can go up to $30,000–$27,000. After deciding on your university in Turkey, it’s important to gather detailed information regarding tuition fees, as conditions for free dentistry education may not always be available. Conclusion Studying in Turkey is a highly attractive option for many international students. Turkish universities are continually striving to elevate their academic standards to match global benchmarks, enhancing their reputation and attracting international students. Dentistry is a highly popular field of study, and many international students opt for Turkish universities for their dentistry programs. These universities offer modern educational and medical facilities, training students with the highest levels of knowledge and skill. Free dentistry education in Turkey is possible through scholarships, and applicants must possess high academic qualifications to be considered. Scholarships like Türkiye Bursları and university-specific scholarships provide opportunities for students. However, one should not rely solely on the hope of obtaining a scholarship for dentistry, as the competition is fierce and requires specific academic excellence. The Culture Nations Migration Institute aims to be a reliable advisor for your educational migration journey by providing up-to-date and accurate information. Contact us for a free consultation for more details.